Many more boys are diagnosed with autism than girls; in fact, four times more boys are diagnosed. While the reason for the disparity between male and female autism rates is relatively unknown, there are several theories. One theory is that the possible mechanism for the transmission of autism is on …
Pica is the craving and consumption of non-food, non-nutritional items, and is often associated with autism. Many autistic children at one point or another develop Pica or pica-like tendencies. A few common items that children with Pica eat include dirt, plaster, chalk, paint, sand. glue, feces, coffee grinds, clay, toothpaste, …
Despite all the therapy he is receiving in school, speech and ten hours of ABA therapy a week, the Tot seems to be regressing in some areas. My biggest concerns are his emotional regulation; anxiety, clinginess, irritability,increasingly violent and frequent meltdowns; frequent attacks on his brothers (particularly my-ten-year old); and …
Some meltdowns are so violent that they require physical restraint to ensure the Tot doesn’t hurt himself. After coming home yesterday devoid of words, the Tot lounged on the sofa with his pillow and sippy cup watching Dora. Slowly his speech returned I’m assuming after he had enough time to …
Yesterday two boys stepped off the school bus; one had no words, and the other would not shut up! Usually when the Tot gets to the bus doors, he waves at me, and says, “Hi, Mommy!” He takes my hand, jumps off the last step into the street, and then …
Many times when I’m on the brink of a meltdown, tangible accomplishments can restore my sense of peace. I know this, so I had a plan. What do I mean by tangible accomplishments? Something that at the end of my day, I can see with my eyes. This for me, …
I can tell you a lot about autism, but what I cannot tell you is how to avert my own meltdowns indefinitely. I’m so overwhelmed and angry, and am now hiding so Aspie Teen won’t see me cry. Even on a day like today, when the house is calm (school …
Aspie Teen is always on YouTube watching “pranks,” and cackling like maniac. I cannot even tell you how many times I’ve sat through the same drive-through pranks with him laughing hysterically at the SAME ONES, over and over! So this morning he comes downstairs, and the first thing he says, …
While the Tot has developed many communication skills since beginning school (self-contained 3K autism class), he has become more “clingy” and in need of 100% hands-on attention. Basically it takes all of my time, energy, and resources to keep him calm, and prevent major meltdowns, and even then the meltdowns …
Is your autistic child restless at bedtime in their room? Does he/she get easily distracted when doing homework? Are they more hyper-active, or lethargic in certain places? Do they avoid a particular room in the house like a colorfully decorated powder room? Alternating the color-schemes in places where your child …
